"I think we can always learn more' Local 3's September Nurse of the Month shares passion for learning

Local 3 News and the Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement are highlighting nurses across the Tennessee Valley who go above and beyond for their patients. Every month, we will be sharing the story of a nurse who makes the industry better for all of us. This September, Local 3 News, is highlighting Emily Williams. She is a Licensed Practical Nurse at CommonSpirit Family Medicine in Ooltewah, formerly known as CHI Memorial. Williams told Local 3 News that she knew she would always end up in healthcare. Her mom was a medical assistant and Williams said watching her care for patients inspired her to follow the same path. "My mom was a medical assistant,' Williams said. 'I really liked what she did and how she talked about patients. After I graduated high school, I went and became a medical assistant and loved it.' Williams spent five years working as a medical assistant, but the more she learned, the more she wanted to do. "The more I worked here, the more I grew to love it,' Williams said. 'I wanted to learn more about nursing and the things that go beyond being a medical assistant, so I went back and got my LPN and love that.' The desire to learn has followed Williams throughout her career. Now, Williams is the Clinical Lead at the CommonSpirit Family Practice in Ooltewah. She not only cares for patients, but also helps the people around her do the same. "I think we can always learn more,' Williams said. 'You know, in the medical field in general, I just loved it so much that I just wanted to know, find out more and what else I could do to help patients.' She shared that mindset is something she tries to pass on to her team every day. "I am always encouraging the staff to do their best and try to provide the best patient care. You know, you'd want your family members being taken care of in the same way, so that's how I encourage them." For Williams, nursing is about more than what you know. It's also about how you make people feel when they are in your car. That commitment to learning, leading and putting patients first is why she is Local 3's Nurse of the Month.